Every pianist has one. That mischievous finger that insists on sticking up in the air while the rest of the hand is getting on with the job. Usually, it’s the little finger — the attention-seeker of the group — though any of them can decide to misbehave when we’re deep in concentration.

In one of my recent free live piano sessions (which I hold every three or four weeks), a student mentioned this exact problem. She was worried that his fourth and fifth fingers kept rising in the air when she played with her thumb. It’s a very common concern, particularly in the left hand. Click on the YouTube Video below to watch.

Don’t Panic — It’s Perfectly Normal

My first piece of advice? Don’t panic, and certainly don’t force your fingers down. A relaxed, natural hand position is far more important than trying to pin your fingers to the keys like a nervous spider.

Even professional pianists occasionally glance down to find a rogue finger hovering mid-air — myself included. Some people are naturally hypermobile — what we often call double-jointed — and for them, a pinky that floats in the air isn’t really a problem. It’s simply how their hand is built.Just like mine!

It can also be a sign of slight tension or unfamiliar coordination, and forcing the hand into submission usually makes matters worse.

Rotation and Circular Motion – Your Secret Weapons

What really helps is learning to use rotation and circular motion when playing scales and passages. Instead of attacking each note vertically, allow a gentle turning of the wrist. As you rotate towards a note, that raised finger will usually settle naturally.

When practising one-octave scales, try adding a small circular motion at the top — especially when the thumb passes under. It keeps the hand fluid and helps the sound flow more musically. The aim isn’t rigid control but freedom of movement — letting the fingers follow the natural path of the hand.

Positioning Matters More Than Perfection

Before worrying about any flying fingers, start by checking your overall hand position.

• Rest your hand comfortably on the keys — not too flat, not too high.

• Avoid stretching into the black keys unnecessarily.

• Begin scales with the thumb hovering just over its key, not off the edge of the keyboard! 

This balanced position helps prevent tension before it starts and allows those smaller fingers to behave without being told.

A Moment of Realisation

During our live session, this idea of rotation and ease led to one of those quiet light-bulb moments — where a simple shift in movement changes everything. It’s not about “correcting” the hand; it’s about freeing it. When you move with ease, musical phrasing becomes more natural, and technical control follows.

Does Your Pinky Rise Point Towards The Sky? - Let me know in the comments!

Free Live Sessions Every Few Weeks

These live sessions are open to all adult learners — whether you’re studying on my Adult Piano Beginners Course or following your own material. You can ask me anything: questions about technique, repertoire, practice habits, or even how to get a smoother sound.

They’re completely free and a great way to connect with other players and get direct feedback from me — a pianist recommended by Pianist Magazine, where both my Hey Presto! Piano Method and Adult Piano Beginners Course have been warmly reviewed.

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If you’d like to join the next class or read more on this topic, visit www.adultpianobeginners.com